Group psychotherapy and Parkinson's disease: when members and therapist share the diagnosis.

This report describes a psychosocial therapy group for Parkinson's patients, focusing on the therapeutic processes arising when group members and therapist share the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The paper explores the question, "What is the therapeutic effect on the group when the therapist suffers and displays the same illness as members of the group"? Countertransference issues are described.